Naruto: All depends on the Nine-tails Fox

"Nearly perfect transformations, shadow clones, and substitution jutsu... Congratulations on passing the graduation exam, Uchiha Sasuke."

Iruka stood stunned, unable to figure out the jutsu Sasuke had performed—both the transformation and shadow clone techniques were flawless. He handed over the headband, symbolizing Sasuke's graduation as a Leaf Village ninja.

Sasuke nodded, accepted the headband, and left the classroom without a word.

"This year's students are truly astonishing. Not only Uchiha Sasuke, but also Hyūga Neji and Hyūga Hinata have shown ninja techniques that even we, as Chūnin, couldn't see through. They truly live up to the excellence of their prestigious clans..."

Another Chūnin teacher nearby recalled the graduation exam and sighed in awe.

"Not to mention Lee Rock, who passed the exam purely on his taijutsu. This year's class is probably going to become the stuff of legends at the ninja academy!"

"Haha, that's a bit of a coincidence. After all, the focus of this year's exam was on overall performance, and Lee's taijutsu was exceptional. His individual score alone was enough for him to graduate. I'm honored to have such excellent students!"

Iruka said with a mix of pride and a touch of modesty. "But, Mizuki-sensei, your class has some outstanding talents too, like Yamanaka Ino and Aburame Shino..."

"Haha, you're right. They've only just begun their ninja paths. Who knows, maybe the next class will surpass these prodigies!" Mizuki, the teacher with pale blue hair, smiled gently before shaking his head. "But they'll never surpass this year's class, especially not that Uzumaki Naruto..."

As Mizuki recalled the test scene, his heart wasn't as calm as his voice suggested.

If Uchiha and Hyūga's abilities had left him scratching his head, Naruto was a whole different level—he couldn't even tell when Naruto had made his move. It wasn't even on the same level!

Back in the classroom, Sasuke nodded to those who greeted him, scanning the room before asking, "Where's Naruto?"

"Naruto's gone out after the exam," one student replied.

"Yeah, apparently a new student invited him. I heard Naruto's graduating soon and is rushing to take on the 'Ninja School's Ultimate Challenge' before leaving."

"After all, Naruto's undefeated record through the entire grade has become legendary. The newcomers are all trying to challenge him."

"Challenge what? Until Naruto graduates, they have no chance!" another student laughed.

"Who's this kid?" Sasuke asked.

"I think his name is Sarutobi Konohamaru."

Sarutobi?

That surname caught Sasuke's attention. It was the same as the Third Hokage's.

Meanwhile, outside the academy gates.

"Naruto, I'm going to beat you this time!" Konohamaru, barely having all his teeth, arrogantly pointed at Naruto with a finger, confidence all over his face. "I'm going to make you acknowledge me as your disciple!"

"...Konohamaru, have you ever thought about the fact that to beat Naruto, you still need to become his disciple?" the little bespectacled kid beside him muttered, wiping his nose.

"Let him be. He's been seriously working at this challenge since he started school." The little blonde girl, Moegi, shook her head, watching the scene.

"Pretty confident, huh, Konohamaru?" Naruto stood there, arms crossed, his golden blonde hair shining brightly under the sun. At twelve, Naruto looked strikingly handsome and confident, gazing at Konohamaru with anticipation. "It seems you haven't learned your lesson from last time. How could you possibly beat me?"

"Heh, after losing to you last time, I spent a whole week at home thinking and developing a new technique! Even my grandpa was defeated by it! That's why I'm here to challenge you now!"

"Oh? Your grandpa was defeated too?" Naruto's eyes widened in surprise and curiosity. He clapped his hands. "Looks like I'll have to take you a bit more seriously now!"

"..."

Hyūga Neji, watching from the side, couldn't help but sigh at the competitive exchange. "Every time I see him take on kids so seriously, it makes me feel like an idiot."

"Naruto-kun always takes the dreams of children so seriously," Hinata gently said, brushing her slightly longer hair, a soft smile on her face.

Girls tend to mature faster than boys, and Hinata, who had spent so much time cooking for Naruto, had developed into a graceful figure, even without makeup, giving off a natural, elegant aura.

"I think he's just full of childishness." Neji rolled his eyes at his cousin, who was clearly in a love-struck daze, and got up to leave.

"Neji-nii?"

"I'm off. Lee should be at the training grounds, and I want to try out some new moves with him."

"New moves?" Hinata watched Neji leave, then turned back to see Konohamaru, who was already striking a pose in front of Naruto, and had a strange feeling.

It felt like Konohamaru, who still challenged Naruto, was a lot like Neji.

"Transformation!"

Konohamaru shouted, a puff of smoke enveloping him.

Transformation jutsu? Could this defeat the Hokage?

Naruto didn't let his guard down, focusing intently on the smoke, eyes narrowing in concentration. Then—

As the smoke cleared, a strikingly beautiful girl with long black hair posed seductively, only covered by the remaining smoke from the transformation jutsu.

Naruto froze.

Konohamaru's friends and Hinata stood stunned.

Neji, who had been walking away, turned around halfway, equally shocked.

"Heh, Secret Technique—Seduction Jutsu! What do you think? Even Grandpa lost to this one. I came up with it after seeing those magazines under your bed last time I visited..." Konohamaru started bragging, but was immediately cut off when he felt a sudden pain in his head.

Naruto, with an angry face, clenched his fist. "You brat, don't say such nonsense! What does that have to do with me?!"

Konohamaru, rubbing his head in pain, looked up, his face filled with tears, and noticed Naruto's dark expression. He then glanced behind Naruto to see Hinata's smiling face, only to realize she wasn't smiling at all.

"Yikes, that's scary... It's like even Naruto's aura can't compare to Hinata's..."

Konohamaru trembled.

"But, I still have to admit, you've got potential as a ninja!" Naruto suddenly grinned, surprising Konohamaru.

"Naruto... Naruto-senpai, will you take me as your disciple?" Konohamaru immediately asked.

"You want to be my disciple? You're still a bit too early for that..."

Naruto turned around, and Konohamaru's face fell, but before he could sulk, Naruto finished his sentence.

"Just two days early. Wait for two more days, and I'll become a Genin, and then I'll personally teach you a few moves!"

"Yay!" Konohamaru jumped up, spinning excitedly in place, then shouted after Naruto's retreating back, "Naruto-senpai... After you graduate today, I'll carry on your legacy. I'll never lose to anyone but you, and I'll stay at the 'top of the ninja school'!"

"Alright, good luck!" Naruto raised his fist, encouraging him.

"Naruto-senpai, you're the best! A true man never looks back!" Konohamaru, his face filled with admiration, watched as Naruto walked away.

At the next corner, Hinata caught up to Naruto, gently poking him in the side. "Today, can I come over to clean your house again?"

"Hahaha, of course, of course!" Naruto, his forehead dripping with cold sweat from the earlier encounter, quickly nodded, trying to hide his nervousness.